Universal joint



June 3, 1941. A. A. WARNER UNIVERSAL JOINT Filed March 23, 1931 Patented June 3, 1941 mvaasar. rom'r Archibald A. Warner, Royal Oak, Mich, asslgnor to Universal Products 00., Inc.

Application March 23, 1931, Serial No. 524.446 7 Claims. (01. 64-17) opposite ends beyond the side edges of the solid This invention relates to improved means for sealing the bearings of a universal joint 01' the type shown in my co-pending application, Serial Number 524,445, filed Mar. 23, 1931.

The main objects of the invention are to provide improved means to obstruct the passage of dirt into the bearings of a universal joint of the type disclosed in said copending application; to provide a baille at the open extremity of each bearing around which dirt must pass in opposition to the outwardly directed forces of the centrifugal action which is created during rotation of the universal joint in order to gain entrance to the interior of the bearings; to provide channelways in the structure of the universal joint that is adjacent the open end of the bearings for receiving such bafiles; and to provide packing in the channel-ways for obstructing the passage of dirt to the interior of the bearings and for preventing leakage of lubricant therefrom.

An illustrative embodiment of the invention is shown in the accompanying drawing in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation showing a universal joint which embodies my invention, partly in section,

Fig. 2 is a transverse on the line 22' of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary vertical section of a universal joint showing a trunnion which is equipped with a bearing that embodies a modifled form of the invention.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary section of a universal joint, showing a trunnion which is provided with a bearing that embodies another form of the invention.

Fig. 5 is a view, similar to Figs. 3 and 4, illustrating a further development of the invention.

In the form shown in Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawing, the invention is illustrated in conjunction with a universal joint which includes a rotatable yoke-shaped driven member I having protruding arms 2 and 3 between which is receivable an end portion 4 of a rotatable driving member -5. The outer .end portion of the driving member 5 is cylindrical in shape and it is provided with a central recess 6 and an outwardly extending radial flange 1 by which it may be conveniently secured to a flange 8 of a splined collar 9, by bolts Ill. The splined collar 9 is adapted to receive an end portion of a drive shaft (not shown) to which it may be rigidly attached by a nut H that may be confined in the recess 6 of the tubular end portion of the driving member.

Integrally formed on the arms 2 and 3 of the yoke of the driven member I are trunnions I2 which have enlarged base portions. The solid end portion 4 of the driving member 5 is provided with a transverse passage l3 through which a pin I 4 extends. The pin l4 fits tightly in the passage l3 and it protrudes at its respectively horizontal section taken end portion so as to provide spaced trunnions II at the respectively opposite sides of the driving member 5. The trunnions l2 and ii of the driving and driven members are located substantially degrees stantially in a single plane.

These trunnions are connected together by a torque ring which includes complementary sections l6 and i1, each having four registering, semi-cylindrical depressions, or sockets l8 and i9 respectively. The sections it and ll of the torque ring are rigidly fixed together by bolts 20 which extend through registering apertures in those portions of the ring sections that are located between the depressions l8 and IS. The complementary registering depression I 8 and I9 form four complete bands which are each located substantially 90 degrees apart and in which the trunnions l2 and I5 are received.

Mounted on the trunnions of the universal Joint are rolling contact bearings which are substantially identical in construction. Each bearing includes a cup-shaped casing 2| having a cylindrical side portion 22 located between the inner periphery of the band formed by the complementary depression l8 and iii of the torque ring sections, and the inner periphery of ,the trunnion. The bands which surround the bearings are seated upon an outwardly extending radial shoulder 23 of the cylindrical portion of the bearing casing 2 I.

Formed in the end wall 24 of the casing 2! is an annular groove 25 which extends outwardly beyond the inner periphery of the casing providing an undercut recess which renders grinding of the inner periphery of the casing simple and convenient. The open end of the casing 2| has an outwardly oilset wall 26 which admits a portion of the enlarge base part of the trunnion into the interior of the casing.

The extremities of the outwardly offset section 26 of the bearing casings on the trunnions of the driven and driving members and 2 respectively, register with substantially planular surfaces on the driving and driven members,- in which are formed circular channel-ways or grooves 21, that are concentric with the trunnions. The outwardly oiiset or skirt portions 26 of each bearing casing extends into the channel-ways 21 forming baflles around which it is necessary for dirt and dust ladened air to pass, in opposition to the centrifugal forces created during rotation of the universal joint, in order to enter the open end of the bearing.

A plurality of rollers 28 are arranged in a circular series between the adjacent periphery of the trunnion and the bearing casingr These rollers have tapered, conical, reduced end portions 29 and 30, the inner end portions 30 being apart and their central axis lie subv received in an annular groove 25 of the end wall close proximity to the outer periphery of the off- 14 of the casing. A sheet metal sleeve 3| having set section. an inwardmdially utendlngsection I2 ishessed The only passage through which dirt, or dust into the enlarged open end portion of the casing. ladened air may enter the interior of the bearing Formed on the inner edge the radially extend- 5 extends between the outer periphery or th n t ing section 32 of the sleeve is an inclined flange section ii of the casing and the inner periphery a which is located between the adjacent perlphof the outer wall a of the trough 35. In order cries of the trunnion and easing. The inclination for dirt to enter through this passage during oi the flange u is substantially parallel to the tuition of the universal joint, it is necessary for mu of t tamred d tion 3| of th the dirt to travel inwardly toward the axis of the rollers 28. This inclined flange, in conjunction joint against the centrifugal action which effec with the walls of the groove 25 of the closed end tiv ly opposes such inward movement of the dirt. ll of the casin holds the roller 28 again t dis- T universal nt runnion bearing illustratlseement prior to assembly of the bearing on ed in 4, includes a cup-shaped casing 38 t m The cylindrical ti of t which is substantially identical to the casing 2| sleeve 3| also extends into the annular channeland Shown in F g. 1 and Fig- 3 respectively- "7 11 m it u in the plane of the open This casing is journaled on a trunnion 39 of a extremity of the casing 2 l. yoke arm 40 of one element of the universal joint. located in the space between the inner-periphthe trunnion and the inner p riphery of d the out section a of the -m casing the casing 38 are located a plurality of rollers 4| ii and the base portion of the trunnion is a packhaving p t t pered extremities. The t lng ring 34 which preferably comprises f lt or pered extremities of the inner ends of the rollers M suitable mmable mum The packing are received in an annular groove 42 which is 14m 21 between formed in the closed end wall 43 of the casing. m tends g g f of the ow Provided at the open end oi the casing a is an outwardly offset wall or skirt section 44 in which is received a sheetmetal sleeve 45 having an inwardly extending flange 46 located between the periphery of the trunnion 3! and the inner peend z fim o riphery oi the casing for holdin the rollers 41 is hm againsltlydisllzfiembeants from :the casing prior to assem o e arin on etrunmon. 01 as the A ring shaped trough 41 having a circular with respect tome is channel-way 43 is mounted on the side of the g min the limits permitted yoke arm in concentric relationship with reof i i 01 as between the spect to the trunnion as. The offset skirt u or b! 9 ans f we the bearing casing 38 and the sleeve extend 233: the en into the channel 48 around the outer extremities thereof. The inner portions of the channel 0 3 the m z fi 40 are filled by a packing ring 49 which contacts which b the an with the internal periphery of the sleeve 44 and m in mnshpcm casing 0 forms a shield for preventing the admission of iii-3: g j ggz fg dirt into the interior of the bearings and for preventing the leaking of the lubricant which is imunim P The a cylindrical 45 bedded between the rollers 4|. The packing ring n which 18 located a band termed 49 extends between the bottom wall of the trough wmplemenm depressed and 41 and the extremities of the sleeve and skirt 45 0! 8 110111118 11118- The f the casing and 44 respectively. A packing ring it which is II is clo by an end well and the inner also formed of yieldable material such as felt is op n of the is bounded by an 50 located between the inwardly extending flange of war l wan A plumlfty of the sleeve 44 and the base portion of the trunhlvi l reduced, W ends find are nion. The packing ring SI together with the 6 M between the ailment Periphene the packing ring 49 yieldably holds the bearing cal and trunnion mum! are? against inward movement toward the axes of the held a ain displ Prior to assembly of universal joint within the limits permitted by the the bearing on t e tr W the walls 0f an thrust bearing clearances between the ends 0! the annular groove 25' in the end wall 24' of the castrunnion and the end walls 24 oi the cups and l and by an inwardly extendin flan e 33 0f 8 seals the open end of the casing against the adshe metal 8168" which is Dressed in the mission of dirt and the escapement of lubricant. lar ed Ope end of the casing- Located between The outer side wall SI of the trough 49 exthe base of t trunnion! and the Sleeve i5 tends outwardly around the external periphery rin 34' wh h aids in sealing! the open of the oifset skirt u and forms a path through end of .the bee-r1 8 a ainst the division of dirt which dirt is required to flow in opposition to the and the leakage of lubricant. centrifugal forces cre' ted during rotation of the Mou ted on t a 0f the y of the universal joint, in order to enter the bearing. ins me of th u vers J t is a an ular In the form of the invention shown in Fig. 5,

sheet metal trough 35 whi h is conentrically the bearing includes a casing 52 having a cylincated with resp n the trunnion and which drical side portion 53 and an outwardly offset has a chann -w y 3- T outwardly 058% end wall or skirt 54 around its open extremity. This Portion f the casin 2 regist rs with the hearing is journaled on a trunnion 55 of an arm channel-way I! of the trough 3i and the ex- 5 oi a universal joint and it is provided with tremity of the olfset end portion rests upon a rollers 51. The rollers 51 are held against dispacking ring 31. The outer wall 38 of the trough placement from the casing 52 by a sleeve 58 hav- 35 overlaps substantially the full length of the ing an inwardly extending flange 59 which teroilset section 20' of the casing and is located in minutes between the peripheries of the trunnion wardly projecting end portions of the cups 55 and the inner periphery of the casing 52. The outer end portion of the sleeve 58 protrudes beyond the open extremity of the casing 52 and' is received in a circular groove 59 which is concentric with the trunnion 55. Located between the base portions 60 of the trunnion 55 and the inwardly extending flange 59 of the sleeve 58 is a folded Washer, 6| preferably comprising leather, between the diverging sides of which is located a coil spring 62. The washer 6i and spring 62 form an effective seal atthe open end of the bearing for preventing the admission of dirt into the bearing and the escapement of lubricant from the bearing. The. protruding end portion of the sleeve 58 which extends into the circular groove 59' forms a baflie around which dirt is required to flow in opposition to the centrifugal forces created during rotation of the universal joint in order to gain entrance to the interior of the bearings.

As in the joint of applicant's aforementioned copending application in all forms of joint herein disclosed centerin of the joint is secured by contact of the ends of the trunnions against the bottoms of the bearing cups. Thus, those points of contact are at the place of greatest lubrication.

Although but several specific embodiments of this invention have been herein shown and described, it will be understood that numerous de tails of the construction shown may be altered or omitted without departing from the spirit of this invention as defined by the following claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a universal joint, the combination of a plurality of relatively movable members including a member having a pair of substantially aligned openings therein and a second member having a pair of trunnions extending outwardly into said openings, bearing cups disposed in said i openings around said trunnions and closing said openings outwardly of the trunnions therein, a sleeve of independent cylindrical rollers between each of said cups and trunnions, a channel containing an annular packing surrounding the base of each trunnion, said channel opening toward the adjacent bearing cup, said cups having end portions projecting inwardly from the openings in which said cups are disposed substantially beyond said rollers and extending into the channels 0 and engaging said packings, and retaining means providing abutments to retain the same in said openings and maintain the inwardly projecting end portions of the cups against the packings in said channels and with the rollers free to move longitudinally in the cups.

2. In a universal joint, the combination of a plurality of relatively movable members including a member having a pair of substantially aligned openings therein and a second member having a pair of trunnions extending outwardly into said openings, bearing cups disposed in said openings around said trunnions and closing said openings outwardly of the trunnions therein, a sleeve of independent cylindrical rollers between each of said cups and trunnions, a channel containing an annular packing surrounding the base of each trunnion, said channel opening toward the adjacent bearing cup, said cups having end portions projecting inwardly from the openings in which said cups are disposed substantially beyond said rollers and extending into the channels and engaging said packings, and means to retain the cups in said openings and maintain the inagainst the packings in said channels.

3. In a universal joint, 9, trunnion projecting radially with respect to the axis of the joint, 8.

closed ended integral bearing cup around the trunnion and having an end thrust bearing engagement with the trunnion for centering the joint, cylindrical rollers between the trunnions and the side wall of the cup, an annular shell fitted on said trunnion adjacent the base thereof and having a base portion and an axially extending periphery forming an annular channel opening toward the cup, and a packing ring in said channel, said bearing cup having its inner extremity extending within the channel and directly engaging the side of the packing ring opposlte that engaged by the bottom of the channel.

4. In a universal joint, a trunnion projecting radially with respect to the axis of the joint, a bearing cup around the trunnion and having an end thrust bearing engagement with the trunnion for centering the joint, cylindrical rollers between the trunnion and the inner surface of the cup, annular shells mounted respectively on the trunnion and the ope-n end of the cup and extending axially toward each other into overlapping relation with the overlapping portion of the trunnion mounted shell spaced radially outwardly of the adjacent portion of the cup mounted shell, said shells having axially spaced radially extending inner portions, and a packing ring between and engaging the latter portions.

5. In a universal joint, a trunnion projecting radially with respect' to the axis of the joint, a bearing .cup around the trunnion and having an end thrust bearing engagement with the trunnion for centering the joint, cylindrical rollers between the trunnion and the inner surface of the cup, a pair of annular rings fitted respectively on the trunnion and the open end of the cup and extending axially toward each other into overlapping relation with the overlapping portion of the trunnion mounted ring spaced radially outwardly of the adjacent portion of the cup mounted ring, and a packing ring positioned within said rings and'sealing the open end of the cup.

6. In a universal joint, a trunnion projecting radially with respect to the axis of the joint, a bearing cup around the trunnion and having an end thrust bearing engagement with the trunnion for centering the joint, cylindrical rollers between the'trunnion and the inner surface of the cup, means defining an outwardly opening channel adjacent the base of the trunnion, a packing in said channel, and a ring fitted on the open end of the cup and having a portion positioned within the channel and in contact with the packing therein.

7. In a universal joint having four radially extending trunnions, a bearing assembly for each trunnion including a bearing cup around the trunnion and having an end-thrust bearing with the trunnion for centering the joint, cylindrical rollers between the trunnion and the inner surface of the cup and extending parallel with the axis of the trunnion, means at the base of the trunnion defining an outwardly projecting annular wall co-axial with the trunnion, a packing ring within the annular space between said outwardly projecting wall and the trunnion, and means on the cup engaging said packing in said annular space. ARCHIBALD A. WARNER.

CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION.

Patent No. 2,2hh,5ao. June 3, 191a.

, ARCHIBALD A. WARNER.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 3 0nd column, lines 9, 2b., 59, and 51;, claims 5, h, 5, and 6 respectively, after the word "cup" and beforethe coma, insert -and extending parafiel to the axisof the trunnion--; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with this correction therein that the eame 'may conformto the record of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 29th day of Ju1y, 'A. D. 19141.

Henry Van Arsdaie, (seal) Acting commissioner of Patents. 

